about us

programs

publications

reading room

press

support us

contact us

home

Publications

Williams Institute Census 2000 and Demographic Studies

 
Census Snapshots
This series of studies written by various Williams Institute researchers provides state-level demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children across the country. 

Eventually, the series will include all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Please click on one of the following states to read the full report: 
Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New York City, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Puerto Rico.

The United States.

 

Census Snapshot: California's Black LGB Population
By Gary J. Gates and Christopher Ramos

This report provides a general overview of Black individuals in same-sex couples as well as the broader Black lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) population in California. Key findings include an estimated 55,000 Black lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals live in California along with approximately 7,400 Black men and women in same-sex couples in the state; just under 9% of all Black men and women in same-sex couples in the United States live in California, second only to New York as the state with the most Black people in same-sex couples; almost 55% of Black women and 11% of Black men in same-sex couples are raising children; and, Black same-sex parents have fewer financial resources to support their children than those in married couples, with a median household income of $60,900 compared to $76,000 for Black people in different-sex married couples.

Census Snapshot: California's Black LGB Population

Census Snapshot: California's Latino/Latina LGB Population
By Gary J. Gates and Christopher Ramos
October 2008

This study provides demographic and economic information for the more than 200,000 LGB Latino/a individuals and 52,410 Latinos/as in same-sex couples living in California.  The study shows that nearly half of Latinas and 44% of Latinos in same-sex couples in California are raising nearly 25,000 children.  Other key findings include more than 12% of the nation’s Latinos/as in same-sex couples live in California, home to the largest number of Latino/as in same-sex couples among all states and LGB Latinos/as having similar citizenship rates as their heterosexual counterparts; however, LGB Latinos/as are more likely to be citizens by birth as opposed to naturalization.

Census Snapshot: California's Latino/Latina LGB Population

Census Snapshot: California - La Comunidad Latina gay
Research Note: Same-sex Marriages in California
October 2008

We surveyed California counties in order estimate the number of same-sex couples who have married in the state in the first three months since these marriages were made legal in June, 2008.   This estimate provides a context for the potential impact of the upcoming California voter initiative, Proposition 8, which would change California’s Constitution to “eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry.”   We estimate that more than 11,000 same-sex couples have married in California between June 17 and September 17, 2008. 

Research Note: Same-sex Marriages in California

Marriage, Registration and Dissolution by Same-sex Couples in the U.S.

By Gary J. Gates, M.V. Lee Badgett, and Deborah Ho

July 2008

This study analyzes data from states that have extended legal recognition to same-sex couples. Analyses show that same-sex couples want and use these new legal statuses. Furthermore, they react more enthusiastically when marriage is possible. More than 40% of same-sex couples have formed legal unions in states where such recognition is available. Same-sex couples prefer marriage over civil unions or domestic partnerships. In the first year that marriage was offered in Massachusetts, 37% of same-sex couples there married. In states that offered civil unions, only 12% of same-sex couples took advantage of this status in the first year and only 10% did so in states with domestic partnership registries.

Marriage, Registration and Dissolution by Same-sex Couples in the U.S.

Irish Men and Women in Same-Sex Partnerships in the United States
By Gary J. Gates
March 2008

The Irish government has announced its intention to enact a civil partnership law that would for the first time offer formal legal recognition to same-sex couples in the Republic of Ireland. The 2006 Irish Census revealed that there were 2,090 same-sex cohabiting couples in the country. Analyses of data from the United States Census Bureau suggest these are not the only couples who might avail themselves of civil partnership:
     • More than 1,200 Irish-born men and women are living with a same-sex partner
        in the United States.
     • They are predominantly female and highly educated. One in seven reports
        raising children.
     • Civil partnership legislation could provide economic benefits to Ireland, enticing
        some of these talented same-sex couples to relocate back to Ireland and
        making the country more competitive in the global creative economy.

Irish Men and Women in Same-Sex Partnerships in the United States

 

Geographic Trends Among Same-Sex Couples in the U.S. Census and the American Community Survey
By Gary J. Gates
November 2007

With the advent of the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), it is no longer necessary to wait every ten years for the decennial census to consider how the numbers of same-sex couples and their geographic distribution might be changing across the country. This research brief analyzes geographic trends among same-sex couples using the 1990 and 2000 United States decennial census enumerations along with data from the 2002 through 2006 American Community Surveys.  Much of the analyses will explore changes in the geographic distribution of same-sex couples at three points in time: 1990, 2000 and 2006.

Geographic Trends Among Same-Sex Couples in the U.S. Census and the American Community Survey

Methodological Details for Census Snapshots
By Danielle MacCartney, M.V. Lee Badgett, and Gary J. Gates
August 2007

This brief explains the methodology used in creating the upcoming series of Census Snapshot reports.


Methodological Details for Census Snapshots
 

The Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Vote in 2006
By Gary J. Gates, PhD
October 2006


Gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) voters may have a disproportionate impact in some key races in the upcoming election. In competitive House races with a Republican incumbent, an estimated 4.2 to 4.3 percent of adults are GLB, a figure above the national estimate of 4.1 percent and higher than proportions in tight races with an open seat or Democrat incumbent. In Senate races with a Democrat incumbent, an estimated 4.5 percent of adults are GLB. Among states with voter referenda that would ban marriage for same-sex couples, Arizona and Colorado have the highest proportions of GLB residents, 4.5 and 5.1 percent, respectively, and are the only two states with GLB population proportions above the national average.

The Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Vote in 2006

Same-sex Couples and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Population: New Estimates from the American Community Survey
By Gary J. Gates, PhD
October, 2006

The release of new data from the American Community Survey (ACS) offers the first opportunity since Census 2000 to update our knowledge of same-sex couples in the United States.  This report assesses changes in the geographic characteristics of same-sex couples and estimates the size of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual population in states, large metropolitan areas, and all Congressional Districts (109th Congress).  Analyses reveal that the number of same-sex couples in the U.S. grew by more than 30 percent to almost 777,000.  The largest percentage increases occurred throughout the Midwest, an area that had relatively low rates of same-sex couples in Census 2000.  Six of the eight states with a 2006 ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage experienced increases in the number of same-sex couples in excess of the national rate of 30 percent.  The ACS data also reveal that gay, lesbian, and bisexual people are found in all Congressional Districts in the U.S. 

Same-sex Couples and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Population: New Estimates from the American Community Survey

Asian and Pacific Islanders in Same-Sex Couples in the United States: Data from Census 2000
By R. Bradley Sears, Esq., Gary J. Gates, PhD., and Holning Lau, Esq.
July 2006

Published in Amerasia Journal Vol. 32 No. 1.

This study analyzes data from Census 2000 to show that over 38,000 Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) in the United States identified themselves as living with a same-sex partner during Census 2000. The study also shows that more than half of the country’s cohabiting API same-sex couples are raising children—over 17,000 children under the age of 18—and that these families face the same economic challenges as other API families in the United States.

Asians and Pacific Islanders in Same-Sex Couples in the United States: Data from Census 2000

 

UCLAウィリアムズ・インスティテュートによる米国におけるアジア・太平洋諸島系同性カップルに関する新報告書

 

UCLA의 월리암스 연구소 미국내 아시아 태평양계
동성 커플에 관한 새로운 보고서 발표

 

加州大學洛杉磯分校威廉斯學院公佈最新報告

對美國亞裔和太平洋島嶼裔同性戀伴侶做分析

Hoïc Vieän Williams cuûa UCLA Phoå Bieán Nghieân Cöùu Môùi veà Nhöõng Caëp Ñoàng Giôùi Tính goác AÙ vaø Ñaûo Thaùi Bình Döông taïi Myõ

Naglabas ang Williams Institute ng UCLA ng Bagong Ulat tungkol sa mga Asian at Pacific Islanders sa Same-sex Couples (Mga Magkasamang Pareho ang Kasarian) sa Estados Unidos

Race and Ethnicity of Same-Sex Couples in California: Data from Census 2000
By R. Bradley Sears, Esq., Gary J. Gates, PhD., and Holning Lau, Esq.
February, 2006

Using data from Census 2000, this report compares demographic and socio-economic characteristics of Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs), blacks, Latino and Latinas (Latino/as), and whites (defined as white non-Latino/a) in same-sex couples in California. This report builds on previously released studies in which the Williams Project provided separate analyses of APIs, blacks, and Latino/as respectively.

Race and Ethnicity of Same-Sex Couples in California: Data from Census 2000

Lesbians and gay men in the U.S. military: estimates from Census 2000
By Gary J. Gates, PhD.
October, 2005

Very little is known about the extent to which gay men and lesbians choose to serve their country through military service. This lack of knowledge contrasts with intense policy debates about the compatibility between homosexuality and service in the United States armed forces. Bayesian inference techniques applied to data from Census 2000 that enumerates characteristics of same-sex “unmarried partners” provide a mechanism for estimating the size of the gay and lesbian population currently serving in the military and exploring historical gay and lesbian military service patterns. Analyses suggest that rates of gay men and lesbians in current military service range from 1.32 to 3.78 percent, implying that at least 30,446 gay men and lesbians and as many as 87,202 are currently in uniform. The findings also show that gay men and, to an ever greater degree, lesbians have served in relatively large portions in all of the major military conflicts of the later 20th century.

Lesbians and gay men in the U.S. military: estimates from Census 2000

Black Same-Sex Couples in California: Data from Census 2000
By R. Bradley Sears, Esq. and Gary J. Gates, PhD.
September, 2005

This study analyzes data from Census 2000 to show that over 9,500 black men and women in California identified themselves as living with a same-sex partner during Census 2000. The study also shows that more than half of California’s black same-sex couples are raising children--over 5,100 children under 18--and that these families face the same economic difficulties as other black families in the State.

Black Same-Sex couples in California: Data from Census 2000

Asians and Pacific Islanders in Same-Sex couples in California: Data from Census 2000
By R. Bradley Sears, Esq. and Gary J. Gates, PhD.
September, 2005

This study analyzes data from Census 2000 to show that 13,000 Asians/Pacific Islanders in California are part of a same-sex couple. The study also shows that more than half of California's Asian/Pacific Islander same-sex couples are raising almost 5,600 children and are struggling with some of the same economic difficulties as other Asian/Pacific Islander families in the state. This study will be forthcoming in September.

Asians and Pacific Islanders in Same-Sex couples in California
Data from Census 2000 (Full Report)

Executive Summary of Asians and Pacific Islanders in Same-Sex couples in California: Data from Census 2000

NHÖÕNG CAËP ÑOÀNG GIOÁNG AÙ CHAÂU VAØ VUØNG ÑAÛO THAÙI BÌNH DÖÔNG
TAÏI CALIFORNIA
DÖÕ KIEÄN TÖØ KYØ KIEÅM DAÂN SOÁ NAÊM 2000

MGA ASYANO AT TAGA-ISLA PASIPIKO NA MAGKAPAREHONG-KASARIAN NA MGA PAREHA SA CALIFORNIA
MGA DATOS MULA SA SENSUS 2000

캘리포니아주의 아시아 태평양계 동성 커플
2000년 센서스 자료 인용


カリフォルニア州在住のアジア及び太平洋諸島系同性カップル
2000年度統計調査データ

加州亞裔和太平洋島嶼裔同性伴侶
2000 年人口普查資料

 

Latinos/as in Same-Sex Couples in California: Data from Census 2000
By R. Bradley Sears, Esq. and Gary J. Gates, PhD.
May, 2005

This study analyzes data from Census 2000 to show that 45,000 Latinos and Latinas in California are part of a same-sex couple. Latino/as account for one in four individuals in same-sex couples in California. The study also shows that more than half of California’s 27,858 Latino/a same-sex couples are raising some 33,000 children and are struggling with some of the same economic difficulties as other Latino/a families in the state.

Latinos/as in Same-Sex Couples in California: Data from Census 2000 (Full Report)

Executive Summary of Latinos/as in Same-Sex Couples in California: Data from Census 2000

Resumen Ejecutivo de Latinos/as en Parejas del Mismo Sex en California: Datos del Censo 2000

Same-Sex Couples and Same-Sex Couples Raising Children in California
By M. V. Lee Badgett and R. Bradley Sears
May, 2004

A study on the demographic and economic information of Census data about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in California.

CA-SSCouples.PDF - 749 KB